As many college kids have probably experienced, mid October-December tend to be pretty harsh months for us health-wise. Luckily for me, CEA puts on a wellness week right around this time, just to try to combat the influx of tired and sick kids that surface this time of year. CEA study abroad program in Barcelona started wellness week around 3 years ago because they were noticing this very trend of the students getting especially sick at this time. The excitement of being abroad, traveling, and exploring our cities has finally set in—and definitely starts to take a toll on our bodies. As a result, CEA has put emphasis on wellness during this week by putting together many activities and wellness offerings to help us hopefully avoid this rough period of getting sick (and of course this rather inconveniently coincides with midterms). This week at CEA we were offered:
 |
| Bananas at the front desk! |
Monday (Social Wellness Monday):
- Apples at the front desk (YUM)
- Massages at the CEA center
- Mediterranean Cooking Contest
- Instagram Contest
Tuesday (Emotional Wellness Tuesday:
- Pears at the front desk!
- Calizumos on the main floor (Fresh healthy Juices and Acai Bowls—so good!)
- Massages at the CEA center
- Soccer League—a chance to go support our CEA team!
- Instagram Contest
 |
| Calizumos working hard! |
Wednesday (Physical Wellness Wednesday:
- Bananas at the front desk!
- Calizumos on the main floor (Fresh healthy Juices and Acai Bowls)
- Zumba in the CEA study room
- Relaxing Yoga at 6 pm
- Pick-up basketball at 6pm
- Instagram contest
 |
| "Barcelona Madness" Acai Bowl! |
Thursday:
- Oranges at the front desk!
- Virtual Zumba in a CEA classroom!
- 6pm Run!
- Instagram contest
 |
| Massages for the students! |
In addition, after receiving a very relaxing fifteen-minute massage, I was also able to interview one of the masseuse’s at CEA. Ester gave me a lot of information!
Me: What are the health benefits of massages?
Ester: It helps you relax and unwind while also helping the body to function as a whole in a healthy way.
Me: How might these massages help the students this week?
Ester: For one, it helps these kids discover that massages are offered around Barcelona. It also helps them learn the benefits that massages can offer and also it shows the students how to take care of their bodies.
Me: What are the long term benefits of massages?
Ester: There are definitely long term benefits of massages. First, they help rehabilitate you from any injury or operation. They also serve to detox the body and can help with lymphatic drainage. Lastly, even if you have not experienced an injury, massages still help eliminate knots and tension.
Me: What suggestions do you have for the students?
Ester: Live a healthy life, eat well and get massages to help maintain posture, for pleasure, and for your health!
Elizabeth C. is the Fall 2016 CEA MOJO in Barcelona, Spain. She is currently a junior studying American Studies and Marketing at Miami University.